Study: Direct Access: Safe, Effective, & Cheaper than PT via Referral

Study: The Influence of Patient Choice of First Provider on Costs and Outcomes: Analysis From a Physical Therapy Patient Registry

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017 Oct 26: 1-26.

Researchers analyzed claims and outcomes data from patients receiving physical therapy for back or neck pain and found that direct access patients incurred $1,533 lower average costs than patients who chose referral from a physician, with no adverse events and similar outcomes.